The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

NEIL MACDONALD Neil MacDonald began his year's sabbati cal from teaching art in Burnaby high schools last year by turning one of his paintings of Lynn Creek into a poster for the "Save Lynn Canyon" campaign. Not only has the canyon been saved and his poster sold well, but he has expanded his painting horizons in many ways in this year. On September 1st, the Hole in the Wall Gallery at Chateau Whistler will open a show of paintings Neil has done in the past 6 months of other untouched wilderness places in the urban environments of B.C. The two week show culminates a Canada Council grant that Neil received this year to record these beau tiful pieces of nature that serve to nurture all of us city dwellers. Paintings show an artist's relationship to his subject and Neil found it very challenging after all his years of living on Lynn Creek and painting the creek in its many lights and shadows to enter into new environments and paint those as well. The show has paintings of the old growth forest on Hollybum Mountain, the Gang Ranch on the Fraser River, Goldstream Park in Victoria and other locales as well as Lynn Creek Canyon in watercolors and mixed media. Neil got a Bachelor of Education degree at UBC with a double major in painting and pottery. After he taught almost every art class available in the Burnaby high schools and especially enjoys working with stu dents in theater arts. "There is nothing like the thrill of opening night." Besides his work on paintings of wilderness areas Neil has given much time this year to portraits of native Canadian artists. He began with a portrait of Simon Charlie last No vember and then did a portrait of Bill Reid. Both paintings are almost life-size and have a powerful presence. When I asked Neil about them he said "1 find myself on a very intimate basis with the portrait when I am painting it. It's almost like the person is there guiding me even though I am working from a photograph I have taken. When I go into the studio in the morning I say "good morning." I feel very close to the portrait and the person it portrays even though 1 don't know that person well." Both these portraits were immediately bought by an art collector on Vancouver Island. Besides his work as a painter and teacher Neil has found time to work with Kelly Phillips and the committee that wants to recreate the Varley ranger cabin above Lynn Creek with an artists walk and art education program as a North Vancouver Centennial project. Neil is one of the founding mem bers of the Miramar Summer Arts Program for children on the North Shore. Neil's two daughters have their own artistic abilities and his wife, Joanne, is a weaver. One of Neil's paintings will be featured on the cover of the Seymour Art Gallery's retro spective catalogue. If you are heading for Whistler to enjoy the end of summer weather catch Neil's show at "The Hole in the Wall." By Illene Pevec WEST VANCOUVER SKETCH CLUB The West Vancouver Sketch Club will be holding their "Fall Show" in the North Mall of Park Royal from Thursday, October 4th until Thursday, October 11th. The show will consist of members recent paintings, of many different styles and media, which have been selected by a jury of professional artists. Many of the pictures will be avail able for purchase after the show has con cluded. The exhibit will be open to view during regular mall hours. For further information call Mrs. U. Vondette at 926-1381. Camp Artaban - Artists' Retreat September 28 - 30 Directed again this year by Win Seaton, this camp will offer on-the-spot instruction for those who want it, and more experienced painters will be able to paint undisturbed. There are splendid sea and forest scenes wherever you turn. Evening programs, campfires, boating and walks in the woods round out the weekend. Fee: $65.00 Note: Fall camp participants MUST REG ISTER by noon of the Tuesday before the camp. Fees include return boat transporta tion from Horseshoe Bay, accommodation, meals, snacks and all activities.